Box of the slide-and-shell type



Ja n. 24, 1933. 5 WOR$$AMv 1,895,061

BOX OF THE'SLIDE AND SHELL TYPE Filed Dec. 16., 1930 Patented Jan. 24, 1933 PATENT F F i C E GEORGE STEPHENSON WORSSAM, OF WATFORD, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAVILLE PERFUMERY LIMITED, OF WATFORD, ENGLAND, A BRITISH COM- IPANY BOX 01 THE SLIDE-AN'D-SHELL TYPE Application filed December 16, 1930, Serial No. 502,717, and in Great Britain February 1, 1930.

This invention comprises improvements in or relating to slide-and-shell boxes of the type having, on the slide, a hinged flap which constitutes a cover for the contents of the slide and is so arranged that when the slide is partially withdrawn from the shell, the flap may be moved about its hinge to uncover the contents of the slide. In one known example of a box of this type, used as a match container, the hinged ap 1s spring-controlled so that on partial withdrawal of the slide the flap will be automatically sprung into the open position.

The main object of this invention is to adapt a slide-and-shell container of the above type for use as a ladies vanity box.

According to one feature of the invention the inner surface of the slide flap carries, or is itself arranged to constitute, a mirror. Preferably, as in the known construction previously referred to, the hinged flap 1s spring-controlled so as to open automatlcally when the slide is pulled out.

According to another feature of the in vention there is fitted within the slide a tray or the like, preferably circular in shape, intended to receive a supply of face powder (e. g. in the form of a compact block) and also if desired to accommodate a small powder puff. Conveniently the tray may be so arranged as to be readily removable from the slide.

In a modified construction according to the invention the slide is spring-urged towards the open position and a catch is provided so that the slide may, when desired, be locked in the closed position with the spring in compression. With this arrangement the slide will open automatically on release of the catch aforesaid.

Two examples embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the slide in the open position,

Figure 2 is a similar view with the tray removed,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tray itself,

Figure 4: is an end plan view showing the slide only partlywithdrawn, and

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing (to some extent diagrammatically) a modified form in which the slide is controlled by a spring.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawing.

Referring in the first place to Figures 1-4 the box there illustrated is made of metal throughout and is of flat rectangular shape. The box comprises a shell 10 closed at one end and open at the other, and a slide 11 which is closed at both ends and is fitted with a hinged flap 12 constituting a cover for the major portion of the slide. The hinge 13 of the flap is spaced inwardly a short way from the adjacent inner end of the slide, the arrangement being such that when the slide is pulled out the hinge 13 will be freed before the slide has been completely withdrawn. The underside of the slide is formed with two grooves 14 (Figure 4) with which engage two small tongues 15 struck up inwardly from the underside of the shell. The grooves 14 terminate short of the inner end of the slide, and thus in conjunction with the tongues 15 they provide a stop to prevent the slide being pulled out beyond the aforesaid position in which the hinge is freed.

Associated with the hinge 13 is a spring 16 arranged normally to constrain the flap 12 towards the open position in which the contents of the slide are uncovered. The outer end of the slide 10 is formed with a slightly enlarged head piece 17 on the sides of which lugs 18 are formed in order to afford a means whereby the slide may readily be manipulat-- ed. The spring 16 associated with the hinge ensures that on partial withdrawal of the slide the flap 12 will be automatically sprung into the open position in which it extends upwardly from the top of the box as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The inner face of the flap 12 is polished so that it constitutes a mirror surface. Between the hinge 16 and the head piece 17 the slide is fitted with a detachablev tray 19 in which a circular depression 20 is formed. The outer end of the tray 19 is is push slipped under the head piece 17, and the opposlte end of the tray is sprung into position with'the vertical wall of the recessed portion hearing against the wings of a spring 21 which is located at the inner end of the slide by a tab of the hinged spring 16. When the tray is in position, the rim which surrounds the central cavity 20 is substantially flush with the edges of the slide and sopresents a neat appearance. The tray is used as a. container for powder.

In the second example, illustrated in Figure 5, the slide 11 is urged by a spring 22 towards the open position and a catch 23 is (provided so that the slide may, when desire be locked in the closed position with the spring 22 in compression. With this arrangement the slide will open automatically on release of the catch 23. As will be seen the spring 22 is located between the closed end of the shell 10 and the adjacent inner end of the slide 11. The catch 23 is hinged to the shell and is ada ted to be swung up over the mouth thereo (when the slide is closed) and to be sprun over a li 24. As before the slide is provi ed with a inged mirror flap 12 which is sprin controlled to open when the slide out to the position shown in Figure 5'. The tray 19 is detachable, and the spring 22 which urges the slide towards the open 0- sition is arranged to constitute a'means or parting from the scope of the invention.

retaining the tray normall against withdrawal from the slide. As s own, thespring 22 acts on a plunger 25 which in turn presses against the tray.

Various modifications may be made in the constructions described herein without I( leor examp e instead of the flap 12 itself constituting the mirror, a separate mirror may be secured to the flap. The mirror may if desired be furnished by the surface of a circular boss secured to or formed integrally with the flap and arranged to form a-counterpart to the cavity 20 in the tray, this arrangement being such that when the flap 12 is closed the boss aforesaid acts to compact the powder in the tray. In a construction of this kind the boss might be arranged to provide a compartment within which a small powder puff could beaccommodated. If desired the spring 21 (Figure 2) which holds the tray in position may be located at the opposite end of the slide, i. e. within the head piece 17.- With this arrangement the spring (which is held in position by the grip which it exerts on the side walls of the slide) is adapted to engage the vertical wall of the depressed portion 20 of the tray at the outer end of the latter, and the action of the spring is to force the tray towards the hinge end of the slide. At this end of the slide two lugs are formed on the opposite side walls of the slide, and the adjacent end of the tray is forced under these lugs by the spring 21, and thus held securely in position.

I claim:

1. A vanity box comprising the combination with a slide-and-shell container, of a tra fitted within the slide, a hinged flap articulated to the slide and movable to cover and uncover the contents of the tray aforesaid, a mirror associated with the inner face of the flap, spring means arranged to urge the slide towards the open osition and simultaneously to constrain t e tray a ainst dislodgment from the slide, and a catc operable at will to lock the slide in the closed position against the action of the spring afore said.

2. A vanity box comprising the combination with a shde-and-shell container of a tray fitted within the slide, a bin ed flap articulated to the slide and movable to cover and uncover the contents of the tray aforesaid a mirror associated with the inner face 0 the flap, a helical spring pressing against the inner end face of the slide and arranged to urge the slide towards the open osition and simultaneously to constrain t e tray against dislodgment from the slide, and a catch operable at will to lock the slide in the closed position against the action of the spring aforesaid.

3. vanity box comprising the combination with a shde-and-shell container, of a tray fitted within the slide, a hinged flap articulated to the slide and movable to cover and uncover the contents of the tray aforesaid, a mirror associated with the inner face of the flap, a helical spring pressing against the inner end of the slide and provided with a plunger atone end which plunger extends through an aperture in the end of the slide and presses against the tray to constrain it against dislodgment of the slide while the spring is arranged to urge the slide towards the open positlon, and a catch operable at will to lock the slide in the closed position against the action of the spring aforesaid.

4. vanity box comprising the combination with a slide-and-shell container, of a tray fitted within the slide, a hinged metal flap constituting a. mirror and articulated to the slide and movable to cover and uncover the contents of the tray aforesaid, spring means arranged to urge the slide towards the open position and simultaneously to constrain the tray against dislodgment from the slide and a catch 0 rable at will to lock the slide in the 010 position against the action of the spring aforesaid.

5. A vanity box comprising the combination with a slide-and-shell container, of a tray fitted within the slide, a hinged metal flap constituting a mirror and articulated to the slide and movable to cover and uncoverthe contents of the tray aforesaid, a helical spring pressing against the inner end of the slide and provided with a plunger at one end which plunger extends through an aperture in the end of the slide and presses against the tray to constrain it against dislodgment of the slide while the spring is arranged to urge the slide towards the open position, and a catch operable at will to lock the slide in the closed position against the action of the spring aforesaid.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE STEPHENSON WORSSAM. 

